As Editor of Good Things Guy, Tyler Vivier has built a career around one powerful belief: that hope deserves a headline. From everyday acts of kindness to extraordinary stories of courage and resilience, she uses storytelling to shine a light on the people and moments that remind South Africans of the good happening around them.
Here, she opens up about the women who shaped her, the power of visibility, leading with compassion and why, in a world often dominated by difficult news, actively looking for the good has never mattered more.
In a news cycle that can often feel overwhelming, Tyler Vivier is interested in a different kind of headline. She has made it her mission to tell stories that leave readers feeling something: hope, compassion, pride, or simply a renewed belief in the goodness of people. Her work celebrates everyday heroes, remarkable acts of kindness and the resilience of ordinary South Africans doing extraordinary things.
Storytelling has always been instinctive for her. As a child, she describes herself as someone whose imagination “ran wild”, eventually finding her way into a career where her empathy could become a strength rather than something she needed to set aside. Today, that empathy informs the way she approaches every story, particularly those involving struggle. Understanding someone’s pain, she believes, allows us to understand their joy, and makes their triumph all the more powerful. A perspective that feels particularly resonant during Women’s Month.
GLAMOUR: What does Women’s Month mean to you personally, and why do you think it remains important to celebrate women and their contributions?
Tyler: Women’s month represents a longstanding fight for equality that is still happening to this day. While women may not be oppressed by legislature anymore, they face some of the greatest burdens in society. I think it is important to keep drawing attention to the spaces where change is still needed. For me personally, women’s month means visibility. Causes, projects and women-led initiatives get the vital visibility they need to make a difference.
GLAMOUR: You work in a space centred around uplifting stories and positive news. What inspired your passion for storytelling, and what keeps you motivated to share stories that make a difference?
Tyler: I have always been a storyteller; as a child, my imagination ran wild. As I grew up, sharing vital information felt important but I was too empathetic for the hard news space. Thankfully, Good Things Guy created a space where uplifting stories are the only stories and yes, some days I feel the stories too deeply, but it feels good knowing that sharing them makes a difference.
I stay motivated by seeing how our readers support the work we do. From fully funding surgeries for people in need, to helping animals find home, cleaning the environment or championing the winners of South Africa. I think as long as our readers keep showing up, I will always be motivated to give them more good news.
GLAMOUR: As Editor of Good Things Guy, what have you learned about the power of storytelling to influence, inspire, and bring people together?
Tyler: It is one of the most powerful tools we have. Our words inspire people to act. I am continuously in awe of how the Good Things Guy readers unite to make a difference, when called to do so. And even if we are sharing a story that has no call to action, no need, people still rally to share it. To spread hope and to shine a light on the good things happening in South Africa.
GLAMOUR: What is one story you have worked on that has stayed with you personally, and why?
Tyler: The animal stories always stay with me the longest. The one that has made the greatest impact was about a kitten that spent over 40 days trapped in a container from Malaysia to South Africa. I sobbed when I saw the post on social media. She was found, rehabilitated and eventually adopted to a loving family in Johannesburg. I got to share every step of her journey and felt deeply connected to her.
The cherry on the cake was that I got to tell her story on stage in 2025, without knowing the rescuers were in the audience listening. They came up to me afterwards to share their thanks and I in turn, got to tell them personally how proud I was of their work, and how honoured I was to play a small role in their efforts to save the kitten.
GLAMOUR: What does being a woman in the media industry mean to you, and what unique perspectives do you think women bring to storytelling and journalism?
Tyler: Speaking as a women, I feel we understand pain differently. And understanding someone’s pain, means you can understand their joy. I have found some of my best work, has been when I could get the smallest understanding of a person’s struggles, to showcase just how triumphant their story truly is.
When I am interviewing someone, I always ask them about their struggles, not so that I can use that for the feature, but so I can connect with their story on a different level. To be human is to grow and I think tapping into that has helped my journey in the media industry.
GLAMOUR: Have you faced any challenges as a woman in your career, and how did those experiences shape the way you approach your work and leadership?
Tyler: I cannot say that in my writing career I have faced struggles, and that is a blessing. But in my younger working days, yes, I have faced some pretty terrible challenges; from work-place bullying, to harassment and downright disgusting behaviour. I actually cringe when I think about how it was all handled.
In those cases, when I sought support, it was lacking. I have been determined ever since then, to firstly make sure the work environment I am in, doesn’t condone that kind of behaviour and secondly to make sure anyone who comes to me, always feels heard, that they know they are being taken seriously and that they feel safe.
It is crazy that my feeling unsafe in my past workplaces has pushed me to be the kind of person that leads with compassion first.
GLAMOUR: Who are some of the women who have influenced, inspired, or supported you throughout your career?
Tyler: Firstly, Miss McNaught, my high school English teacher, she was a force in the classroom and introduced me to my love of creative writing. Before I walked into her classroom, I didn’t really think being a writer was a possibility.
I simply must also mention Devi Govender, she is a powerhouse journalist and while she works on a totally different beat, her fearlessness and bravery have always been qualities I have admired. I bumped into her at the mall once and decided to be brave like Devi and say hello. She was charming and so kind.
Ok, now the ultra-cheesy answer. My mom is one of my greatest supporters. To this day, she sends me every good news story she sees online, shares all our work with people she knows will love the stories and is always encouraging new readers to check out our website. After Brents mom, she is our second biggest fan.
GLAMOUR: In a world where negative news can often dominate the conversation, why do you believe it is important to actively seek out and share stories of hope, kindness, and resilience?
Tyler: Balance is important in every aspect of life, including our newsfeeds. Having instant access to hope, kindness and compassion is a must in today’s news climate.
It can often feel overwhelming seeing all the headlines focused on war, politics, corruption and crime, so having a news source that balances that all out is vital.
Our readers will often comment on how stories have “restored their faith in humanity” and that is the balance that is most important. Hope is not lost, it’s just not trending on hard news platforms.
GLAMOUR: What have the everyday women you encounter through your work taught you about strength, courage, or resilience?
Tyler: That is its enduring, no matter what they have faced, no matter the challenges, they believe in the good of others and fight for it daily. I have met some of the most compassionate humans over the past decade and many of them keep doing good things.
Our readership leans more to the female demographic so they are the force behind some of the most inspiring stories. By that I mean, when we share a story asking for help, these women (and some men) rally, they fund, they collect food, they do whatever is needed, so the subjects of our stories are supported in their time of need.
GLAMOUR: What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue careers in media, journalism, communications, or storytelling?
Tyler: If a story makes you feel something, you are on the right path. Write it up, perfect it and then fight for it. If it means something to you, it will mean something to someone else. Even if it is only one person. It only takes one person to make a difference!
GLAMOUR: What is one lesson about leadership that you have learned throughout your career that you wish you had known earlier?
Tyler: You cannot control every aspect of your team. Cookie-cutter leadership doesn’t work. Each person is so unique, one person cannot be like the other, so adapt how you work with each person. The outcomes should be the same, but how you get there is the fun part.
I have an incredible team of women behind the work we do and they each shine in different ways and so I lean into their strengths and we work on the hard stuff together.
GLAMOUR: If you could change one thing about the way women are represented in the media, what would it be?
Tyler: I don’t think representation is an issue, women in the media are diverse and powerful. What I would change is how people feel they can engage when they don’t agree with women in the space. The trolls… They need to be changed. People need to be more accountable for what they say online. If I could change one thing in the media space, it would be that.
GLAMOUR: What do you think South African women should be celebrating about themselves and each other this Women’s Month?
Tyler: Our tenacity. I have witnessed so many stories of tenacious women who are on their very last straw, and yet they dig deep, determined to pull themselves, their families, and their lives right up and out of the troubles they face. And they do it too! It is awe-inspiring.
GLAMOUR: What does success look like to you at this stage of your career? Has your definition of success changed over time?
Tyler: Today, success isn’t just my own, it is seeing my team thrive in their careers too. My role is to support them as they take up the heartbreaking stories, to make sure they are getting the best features available and when their careers grow, making sure they have the tools needed to thrive.
My definition of success has definitely changed over the past 10 years. Right now to me, success looks a lot like fulfilment. I find my job incredibly fulfilling. I love that we get to show people the good side of things.
GLAMOUR: Looking ahead, what is one thing you hope to achieve, personally or professionally, and what kind of impact would you like to leave behind?
Tyler: Personally, I would love to write a book. Of what you may wonder? That I am not entirely sure of yet. The funny thing is, my name is published on three books for Good Things Guy, so technically I am a published author, but that is a professional accolade. I would love to write a book that I did just for myself. As for impact. Professionally speaking, I hope more people take note of the good. I would love to leave behind the trait of always looking for the good news in every moment.
GLAMOUR: Finally, if you could share one message with every woman reading this during Women’s Month, what would you want her to hear?
Tyler: You are the greatest force in your life. Use it!
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